By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
WASHBURN, Maine — A Presque Isle man has been charged in connection with the theft from a Washburn cemetery of a veteran’s grave marker. “Jerry York, 28, of Presque Isle, was charged with illegal possession or sale of a gravestone, which is a Class C felony. He was given a Nov. 19 Caribou Superior Court Date,” said Chief Roy Guidry, of the Washburn Police Department.
Guidry said he was notified in September by personnel working at One Steel in Caribou that someone had turned an item in as scrap metal that was later determined to be a grave marker.
“One of the employees at One Steel initially reported it to the Caribou Police Department. They then notified me that someone brought in a military veteran’s marker to be sold,” said Guidry.
“The CPD got in touch with area funeral directors, who were able to determine it (the marker) came from a grave in Washburn. I confirmed it’s a marker missing from Riverside Drive South,” said Guidry.
Guidry said it was easy to determine who brought in the marker.
“He signed a slip with his name on it. That’s common procedure when selling scrap metal,” said the chief.
With the assistance of Presque Isle Police Department’s Officer Ryan Eagles, York was located in Presque Isle and arrested.
“York was located and arrested at the PIPD, where he was charged. York was held on a probation hold and transported to the Aroostook County Jail in Houlton,” said Guidry.
Guidry said it’s important for the public to know such thefts are a serious crime.
“Stealing a gravestone or marker is a felony. This is a serious crime — one we hope won’t be repeated,” said Guidry.
Anyone with information about such thefts is asked to contact their local police department or you can call Crime Stoppers at 800-638-8477.
